Australia undo White Ferns in Rose Bowl ODI

Australia have recorded a strong six wicket win over the White Ferns in the second One-Day International match of the Rose Bowl Series at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

Put into bat, the White Ferns were rolled for 181 in 48.5 overs before Australia chased down the target with 18.3 overs to spare, finishing at 182 for four.

The White Ferns were rocked early by Clea Smith who removed Lucy Doolan and Suzie Bates for ducks to have the visitors reeling at 11 for two.

Debutant Francis McKay helped steady the innings, putting on 41 with Amy Satterthwaite (21) and another 41 with Sara McGlashan (29) before falling for the team’s top score of 36.

Wicketkeeper batsman Katey Martin provided some late resistance with 33 but the damage was already done.

Smith was the chief destroyer taking four for 32 while veteran spinner Lisa Sthalekar picked up three for 37.

The successful chase was set up by a superb second wicket stand of 106 between Shelley Nitschke and Leah Poulton.

However, it wasn’t without its hiccups with three wickets falling with the score on 122. Kate Broadmore had Poulton for 54 and later in the same over removed Alex Blackwell for a duck. Five balls later captain Aimee Watkins took the wicket of Nitschke for 48 to give her team a glimmer of hope.

Cameron (37*) and Sthalekar (23*) got the innings back on track, guiding Australia to a comfortable win.

The best the White Ferns can hope for is a drawn series. The win ensures the Rose Bowl will remain in Australia for another year with the current holders taking a three-two lead into the final match on Thursday 16 June.